
Mary Oliver uses structure and word choice in her striking poem “The Journey” to create awareness for the reader about the trials and rewards coupled with embarking on a new journey. Whether your journey may be venturing as a first year student in college or moving to an entirely bizarre country, Oliver’s poem applies to any reader. A journey is defined as “a long and often difficult process of personal change and development,” Oliver would agree with this definition because she highlights the process of beginning a journey as difficult juxtaposed with the reward and new sense of purpose that comes from the “personal change and development” associated with completing a journey. 

Poem structure can be a major implement of creating meaningful and relatable works. The structure of “The Journey” adds interest for someone reading with a keen eye. Oliver uses this structure to essentially divide her work into two parts; a “sad” part and a “happy” part. These two sections of “The Journey” are divided by a “turn” which as it sounds, is the turning point in the poem. Oliver writes “The Journey” in this manner to convey a greater truth about the trepidations of embarking on a journey. For example, the first half of the poem contains descriptive language such as “melancholy,” “terrible,” “cried.” These words carry a negative connotation with most readers and likewise, would evoke feelings of sadness. Oliver writes the first half of “The Journey” to show readers the challenges that are associated with beginning a brand new journey in life. Before the second positive portion of Oliver’s work, she writes “But little by little/ as you left their voices behind/ the stars began to burn” (Oliver 23-25). This line invokes a much different reaction with its positive word choice. Oliver wishes to highlight the moment in one’s journey where you “[leave] their voices behind” (Oliver 24), as the turning point for where you begin to discover your own new voice. After this key turning point Oliver proceeds with positive word choice to demonstrate to the reader the beneficial aspects of completing or nearing the end of a transformative journey.  Oliver writes that the new voice you will discover will “keep you company” (Oliver 30) as you travel “deeper and deeper into the world” (Oliver 31-32). Oliver also uses many positive words in the second half of “The Journey” such as “save,” “burn,” and “determined.” It is very clear that Oliver splits “The Journey” into a negative and positive part to demonstrate that a real journey is at first a negative experience but becomes rewarding and worthwhile toward the finale.

Oliver’s largely unique word choice and overall writing style play a role into how the reader relates to her work. Many sentences in “The Journey” are irreplaceable; they are essential to the understanding and theme of the poem. Analyzing these key sentences can provide the reader with understanding of the double edged sword which is beginning a journey. For example Oliver writes, “Through the sheets of clouds… there was a new voice” (Oliver 26-27). This quote shows how once the confusion and mystery surrounding the start of  a new journey has been broken through, one can find a new purpose in life and actually find a “new calling” much like a new voice calling one to a different purpose after leaving all they had behind. Conversely, Oliver uses her mastery of language to show the reader how difficult beginning a new journey is. She writes “Though the wind pried/ with its stiff fingers/ at the very foundations” (Oliver 14-26). Oliver writes this way to convey to the reader the difficulty of leaving a familiar place when beginning a journey. The imagery of “stiff fingers” prying “at the very foundations” evokes a sense that one beginning a journey is torn away from their past life viciously making the transition seem almost painful due to Oliver’s mastery of word choice. If Oliver had used a less impressive choice of words in “The Journey” her work would lose its continuity for potential readers as well a “sticking power” that leaves readers with a sense of understanding for the message Oliver wishes to convey. Through the use of expert word choice Oliver is able to create a more relatable experience for the reader that truly highlights the juxtaposition between the pain and reward of starting a journey.

As college freshmen, what Oliver wishes to convey about the beginning and ending of a journey is extremely relevant. Arguably, packing up at home and coming to college is one of the most extreme environmental changes that will take place in one’s life.  Getting your bearings around campus as well as getting to know your roommates can be a daunting task for someone leaving the entirety of their family friends behind to begin a journey in an alien place. This process can be similar to what Oliver describes as “burn[ing]/ through the sheets of clouds” (Oliver 26-27). This shows that acquainting oneself with the college process can be like trying to break through a veil of dark clouds. However, Oliver makes sure to let the reader know that once you begin to find your own voice and way through college, new light will pierce the cloud cover and you will locate a new voice of companionship and union within the college experience. How Mary Oliver’s “The Journey” relates to being a first year college student is one of the many applications of her masterfully crafted work to a real life setting. 

Making the choice to begin a journey can often seem to bring only pain at first until you find a “new voice” to carry you forward in the new environment in which you enter. Oliver’s work uses a varying structure and explicit word choice to detail for readers the stages of beginning a new journey. The captivating word choice furthers “The Journey’s” ability to relate to some aspect of any potential reader’s life. No doubt setting out for personal change and development can seem daunting at first as you break ties with your old self and surroundings. However, as the end of your journey approaches, great rewards will be discovered for those who avidly commit to finding their own voice in a world where other’s cries for help can drown out the sound of yourself.
